CHANDIGARH: Hailing the Rail budget, HaryanaChief MinisterBhupinder Singh Hooda today said the proposal to set up a rail coach manufacturing unit in Sonepat and introduction of new rail lines had fulfilled long-standing demands of the state.

Talking to reporters here, Hooda welcomed proposals to introduce rail services to Mewat area and new lines linking Delhi-Sohna-Nuh-Firozepur Jhirka-Alwar and Hisar-Sirsa via Agroha and Fatehabad.

Hooda said the proposal to introduce MEMU services on the Delhi-Rohtak link replacing the conventional service and DEMU services on Delhi-Kurukshetra via Kaithal and Rohtak-Rewari links would benefit many.

The Chief Minister appreciated the extension proposal of the Una/Nangaldam-Hazoor Saheb Nanded Express (weekly) via Anandpur Saheb, Morinda, Chandigarh, Ambala and a new passenger train Loharu-Sikar passenger (daily), which will pass through Haryana, after gauge conversion.

Hooda said that he had urged the Railway Minister to give Haryana a rail coach factory as it will not only provide more job opportunities to the people, but also facilitate setting up of many ancillary units, thus boosting economy of the area.

The state government would bear half of the cost of the rail project, he said.

Hooda also appreciated steps like e-ticketing through mobile phones, introduction of disabled friendly coaches, trains like 'Azadi Express', which he said, would bring qualitative change in services of the Railways.